DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) – St. Norbert College awarded diplomas to nearly 430 graduates during its 126th Commencement Ceremony held at the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.
The celebration brought together families, friends, and faculty to mark a major milestone for the Class of 2025. Many students spoke about the strong sense of community they experienced during their time at the college.
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“One word comes to mind when I think about this whole day, and it’s just a huge sense of gratefulness,” said Jackson Thiel, a finance and political science graduate from Hilbert. “Gratefulness for the people that came—so many people out here today that came to support the graduates.”
Thiel credited the college’s small class sizes and personal attention from faculty for helping students succeed. He plans to attend Marquette Law School in the fall.
Lacy Gurts, an elementary education major from Suamico, reflected on the supportive environment that shaped her college experience.
“Everyone cares so deeply about each other,” Gurts said. “From our professors to our peers, all the faculty and staff—you can just tell how much everyone cares about our wellbeing.”
Gurts will begin her teaching career this fall in Howard and will return to St. Norbert as an assistant swim coach.
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The college community often uses the Latin word communio—meaning community—to describe the close bonds formed on campus. President Laurie Joyner says it’s a core part of the St. Norbert experience.
“Our students really do become a part of our family,” Joyner said. “This is a very special and unique learning community.”
